Editor:
Re: Vision needed for town core construction, March 6
I'm sure I am not alone in supporting Coun. Ian Paton and others who are saying that Tsawwassen and Ladner need a comprehensive design vision before our treasured communities become a hodgepodge of colours, shapes and sizes.
The catalyst for Paton's comments is the proposal for the old Harris Nursery site on 12th Avenue, but it is certainly a timely, welcomed observation. Notwithstanding the efforts of the architect-designer, to say the proposal does not fit into the character of our Tsawwassen neighbourhood is an understatement. The time has come to say: "Whoa! Where are we going with all of this?"
I had hoped Delta council and the planning department might have learned from mistakes made in the past, from major outside criticism of Tsawwassen's ongoing "look."
Noting that some members of council still have never seen a development they didn't like, perhaps councillors Bruce McDonald and Robert Campbell should remember they are elected not by developers, but by their constituents.
It is the responsibility of all councillors to represent those constituents, to legislate a reasonable set of standards with community input, and to stick to them to ensure we don't end up with a very messy mélange of colours, shapes and sizes.
Tsawwassen and Ladner are proud communities, and paralleling this pride should be a big plan that cannot only guide the way we might grow, but how we might look.
Joyce Robinson
